customercus‧tom‧er /ˈkʌstəmə $ -ər/ ●●●S1W1 noun [countable]1BBTBUYsomeone who buys goods or services from a shop, company etcWe aim to offer good value and service to all our customers.We’ve had several letters from satisfied customers.customer service/careMany of the banks offer a poor level of customer service.He’s one of our regular customers.best/biggest/largest customer (=the person or company who uses a shop or company the most)2 →awkward/tricky/tough etc customerCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + customer a regular customerMy business quickly built up a base of regular customers.a good customer (=who buys a lot from you, or uses your service a lot)Good products attract good customers.a major/big/large customer (=who is important and buys a lot)America is a big customer for Japanese goods.a loyal customer (=who has been a customer for a long time)Some of our loyal customers have been coming here since the store opened.a satisfied customer (=who is pleased with your goods or service)Satisfied customers will return again and again.a potential/prospective customer (=who might become a customer in the future)It’s very important to establish contact with potential customers.a business customer (=customers that are businesses)the bank’s major business customersexisting customers (=that you already have)We want to improve our service for both new and existing customers.verbsdeal with a customer (=do business with or talk to a customer)He has a lot of experience in dealing with customers.serve a customerEvery day the shop serves around 800 customers.attract customers (=get more customers)The Internet is a great way to attract new customers.keep/retain customersKeeping prices low helps to retain customers.lose a customerThe company has lost some big customers in the last two years.customer + NOUNcustomer service/care (=serving and looking after customers)Our aim is always to raise the level of customer service.customer relationsStaff are given training in customer relations.customer satisfaction (=how pleased customers are)The firm carried out a survey of customer satisfaction.customer demand (=the amount of something customers want to buy or use)It’s important to respond quickly to changing customer demand.customer complaintsMy job is to handle customer complaints and enquiries.THESAURUScustomer someone who buys goods or services from a shop or companyCustomers were waiting for the shop to open.The bank is one of our biggest customers.client someone who pays for a service from a professional person or companyHe has a meeting with one of his clients.The company buys and sells shares on behalf of their clientsshopper someone who goes to the shops looking for things to buyThe streets were full of Christmas shoppers.guest someone who pays to stay in a hotelGuests must leave their rooms by 10 am.patron /ˈpeɪtrən/ formal a customer of a particular shop, restaurant, or hotel – usually written on signsThe notice said ‘Parking for Patrons Only’.patient someone who is getting medicaltreatment from a doctor, or in a hospitalHe is a patient of Dr Williams.consumer anyone who buys goods or uses services – used when considering these people as a group who have particular rights, needs, or behaviourConsumers are demanding more environmentally-friendly products.the rights of the consumerThe law is designed to protect consumers who buy goods on the Internet.market the number of people who want to buy a product, or the type of people who want to buy itThe market for organic food is growing all the time.a magazine aimed at the youth marketclientele /ˌkliːənˈtel $ ˌklaɪənˈtel, ˌkliː-/ formal the type of customers that a particular shop, restaurant etc getsThe hotel has a very upmarket clientele.They have a wealthy international clientele.